Word Meaning 惜しい

おしい oshii

惜しい is read as おしい (oshii) and means almost (but not quite).

Meaning

English

  1. almost (but not quite)
  2. close (but no cigar)
  3. too good for
  4. deserving better
  5. precious
  6. dear
  7. valuable
  8. regrettable

Reading

Kana

おしい

Romaji

oshii

Stroke Sequence

3 Characters • 14 Total Strokes

Study Signals and Categories

JLPT N1 Jōyō Upper Grade Kanken 3級 Rank 8150 Priority B

Related Vocabulary

Max. 12

惜しむ

おしむ

to be frugal

惜敗

せきはい

regrettable defeat

名残惜しい

なごりおしい

reluctant (to part)

痛惜

つうせき

deep regret

負け惜しみ

まけおしみ

being a poor loser

一文惜み

いちもんおしみ

stinginess

不惜身命

ふしゃくしんみょう

devoting one's body and soul to Buddhist teachings

Example Sentences

3

おしいところでまけてしまった。

We lost by a narrow margin; it was a pity.

そのさいのうがうしなわれたのはおしい。

It is a pity that such talent was lost.

たのしいじかんはすぎるのがおしい。

It's a pity how quickly the fun times pass.